Ibrox loanee forward Fabio Silva has added significance to Rangers’ Europa League match against Benfica as they go to Portugal.
After initially choosing Benfica over his childhood club, FC Porto, the 21-year-old Portuguese striker made his debut against the team’s archrivals, Os Dragões, in front of a sizable fan base in Portugal.
Manuel Fernandes, the legend of Sporting Lisbon and the man who helpedFabio Silva succeed at FC Porto, had predicted that the teenager would follow in Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps. Then, no pressure.
Fabio Silva is back in Portugal nearly four years after shattering Wolves’ transfer record by moving for £35 million to the Premier League as an 18-year-old.
You may be confident that the headlines are already being written, whether the news is good or negative.
Fabio Silva concentrated on Rangers before facing Benfica.
You see, since Fabio Silva left Portugal all those years ago, things haven’t always gone according to plan.
With his debut at FC Porto as a 17-year-old and his exploits leading the Portuguese behemoth’s youth squad to UEFA Youth League success, the young player’s future seemed endless.
Due to his youth, Silva holds multiple records at the Estádio do Dragões, including the record for the youngest goal scorer and appearance in Porto.
However, the Premier League is a tougher league for a young player already surrounded by expectations, therefore at times it has proven to be a bit too steep of a jump.
Fabio Silva, who is returning to Portugal for the first time as a professional player on club responsibilities, is enjoying the challenge and is not bothered by it.
Avoiding to become entangled in the backstory surrounding his comeback to his homeland, Fabio Silva maintains that his priority is making his European debut with Rangers ahead of any politeties with Benfica.
“It’s nice to see some familiar faces—I play with some Benfica players in the national team,” Silva remarked. But just now, Rangers seem to be the most significant.
“The most important thing is that I’m excited to play my first European game for the Rangers. After that, it will be wonderful to return to my home country and meet friends and relatives because I played there when I was younger.
“It’s going to be special because everyone gave me everything during my two years there, so I have nothing against them.”
The £35 million striker will have to prove his worth in the Europa League.
Even at the young age of 21, Fabio Silva exudes an air of maturity.
It is possible that the striker’s early experiences have influenced him in this way.
After praising the Benfica youth team at the renowned Centro de Estágio e Formação do Seixal, also known as Benfica Campus to us, the forward moved to FC Porto due in part to club allegiances.
Though there are no harsh feelings, considering how the past three and a half years have gone, you get the impression that the child has a little more to prove.
The transfer to Wolves has presented difficulties, as Fabio has not been able to secure a more stable and long-term home during his successful loan periods at Anderlecht and PSV.
Rangers have temporarily signed a player who was once thought to be the best in the league, but who is in desperate need of some love.
Wolves still have faith in the young player’s ability, and Fabio Silva has plenty of time to realise his potential in the game, which seemed to be his destiny just a few years ago.
For now, though, Silva’s goal in the Europa League is to live up to the expectations and silence any doubters as he makes his first-ever trip to his native nation.
Fabio Silva’s debut for the Rangers in the Europa League against Benfica tonight is all but guaranteed due to an injury-ravaged roster.
And what better way to declare his return to Portugal than to surpass his former club?
Since joining Rangers on loan in January, Fabio Silva has made 19 appearances and scored three goals.
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